Palpitations after drinking - an emergency?

[cobaltblue27]

Hi - went out with a couple of friends and drank two cocktails. I have since woken up with a pounding heart and can’t sleep. I never normally drink very much and we didn’t eat very much. Is this an emergency? 111 told me to go to hospital when I thought it could just be a response to drinking. I’ve asked to speak to a doctor instead. Asking for a hand-hold. Hope someone is up!

It's more than likely drinking, hope the doctor rings back soon

99% likely to be the alcohol. I regularly have that when I drink, sometimes lasting all fay after drinking the evening before!

If you are unsure, get a taxi and pop yourself to the hospital or ask a friend for a lift to see a dr.

But yes, your instincts are most likely correct that it is the alcohol! Chill, don't stress over the not sleeping, otherwise it'll be a vicious cycle.

Are you ok? Tbh I think I'd go if 111 advised me too.x

It’s quite normal.

If you go to hospital and say that you’ve had cocktails and feel drunk they might laugh you out of there

As PPs have said - highly likely to just be a result of the alcohol..

Unless there's some big back story of you having a history of heart problems!

As Wombat suggested - if you are overly concerned then get a taxi up to A&E or a friend or family member to take you to the hospital.

111 may well give you a call back with the doctor; you may not get an appointment to see one but you may have a chat over the phone with one.

It will be the drink. I used to get palpitations a lot after drinking, although I think I am prone to them as I got them in pregnancy too and any time my body was under stress/working hard. I'm perfectly healthy otherwise. Don't stress!!

Obviously randoms on the internet can’t diagnose you… I hope the doctor can help.

How was your evening? Did anything happen that might have led to you feeling anxious? Did you feel tipsy after the two cocktails? People do sometimes have difficulty sleeping after drinking.

Thanks to everyone for replying! Feel better just sharing my worries.

My instinct is it is just from drinking two cocktails when I never normally drink and that I would indeed be laughed out of hospital if I showed up saying I was worried about having a pounding heart, a few hours after drinking on an empty stomach. I’m
Hoping my instinct is right.

The 111 lady reluctantly agreed to arrange a call back from a doctor so have just come downstairs and chilling out a bit and had some toast while I wait….

I would follow 111 advice.

The minute you mention chest pain or palpitations the 111 algorithm will automatically suggest A&E. The operators are not medically trained and have to go by the formula. However the fact a Dr has not rung back yet?? Suggests they don't consider it an emergency.

Alcohol well known for accelerating heart rates. Have you taken your pulse?

Hope you are feeling ok now? You could have an intolerance to gluten and that can cause you to feel unwell, my son gets really fast heart beat if he has gluten and it can cause the shakes also and to feel really hungover the next day even if have one drink as it is like you are poisoning your body. Next time you drink have a drink that does not have gluten in it. Cider, gin etc

Oh fgs. She was drunk.

I had this at the weekend. 2 cocktails and my Apple Watch was warning me that my heart rate was crazy high. Had chest and shoulder pain as the evening went on. NHS24 sent me to A&E because I have a history of blood clots but they weren’t sure what caused the initial symptoms (no new blood clots either).

I also take a stimulant medicine for ADHD and they theorised that it MIGHT be the alcohol reacting with the stimulant although unlikely as it’d been over 10hrs between the medication and the alcohol.

Yeah - I stopped drinking four years ago as it's a horrible trigger for my palpitations!

Alcohol definitely messes with your system and can cause palpitations. Especially if it was a highly caffeinated cocktail. How are you feeling?